Cargo ship breaches Tarapur security zone

Five years after Ajmal Kasab and nine other Pakistani terrorists entered Mumbai via sea and created mayhem, our coastal security remains a matter of concern. Recently, a cargo ship belonging to the Shipping Corporation of India was found anchored in the sea near the sensitive and highly guarded Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS).

The ship’s presence has raised serious security concerns because the Indian Navy and Coast Guard failed to spot it in the region, which is also a no-fly zone. No rogue ship or trawler is allowed 5 nautical miles from the periphery of the nuclear plant.

Fishermen from Alewadi village near Tarapur spotted the cargo ship, Vishwa Bandhan, on Friday night and informed the Satpati coastal police. The Maharashtra marine police on Saturday proceeded towards the ship for investigations. After checking the documents, the ship was asked to remove the anchor and proceed towards Mumbai JNPT.

Harishchandra Barwe, assistant police inspector at Satpati coastal police station, told dna: “The ship is now in Porbandar, Gujarat. There was no security threat to the plant as the ship belonged to the Indian government.” The authorities were informed about the security breach, said Barwe. “The ship was proceeding towards Mumbai JNPT from Kandla port, Gujarat, when we asked the anchor to be removed. It did not have permission to move ahead as JNPT was congested,” he said.

Barwe said the ship was anchored at 3 nautical miles from TAPS, but an Indian Coast Guard spokesperson rubbished his claim. “We have recordings which confirm that the ship was anchored at 6.2 nautical miles. Foreign vessels are stopped at 12 nautical miles whereas Indian ships are permitted up to 5 nautical miles near TAPS,” the spokesperson said.

Social activist Ashok Churi says this is a serious security lapse. “A huge ship went unnoticed by the navy, Coast Guard and the Central Industrial Security Force,” said Churi, who works for the welfare of fishermen. He was informed about the breach by local fishermen. “The state should take measures to curb security breaches near such installations and protect nuclear power plants. It would be a disaster if they are targeted by terrorists,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts, navy officials remained unavailable for comment.

Trouble at sea
A cargo ship belonging to the Shipping Corporation of India was found anchored in the sea close to the highly sensitive Tarapur Atomic Power Station. No ship or trawler is allowed
5 nautical miles from the periphery of the nuclear plant

1 The ship was proceeding towards Mumbai JNPT from Kandla port in Gujarat. It was anchored near the nuclear plant as it did not have permission to move ahead

2 There is high security near the Tarapur atomic power station. The region is a no-fly zone and foreign vessels are stopped at 12 nautical miles. The ship is now in Porbandar